Several Gulf states have condemned recent Iranian-backed attacks amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, warning of the broader regional and global implications of continued hostilities.
The United Arab Emirates’ Foreign Ministry denounced the attacks as clear violations of national sovereignty and threats to regional security and stability. The ministry expressed full solidarity with Bahrain, Kuwait, and Jordan, affirming support for measures aimed at protecting the security of these countries. Jordan also condemned a drone strike targeting the Al-Abdaly border crossing in Kuwait.
Meanwhile, the Iran-aligned Houthi rebels in Yemen claimed responsibility for missile and drone attacks on Saudi Arabian cities Yanbu and Jizan. These locations host facilities belonging to Saudi Aramco, the world’s largest oil company. Yemen’s Houthi military spokesman, Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree, stated that the attacks were retaliatory measures following Saudi airstrikes on the strategic port city of Hodeida along the Red Sea coast. Saudi Arabia’s civil defense reported alerts in both cities early Saturday but provided no further comment.
These developments follow nearly two weeks of intensified conflict centered around key maritime chokepoints. The Red Sea’s Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which connects to the Gulf of Aden and channels about 12% of global trade, including a significant portion of container traffic, faces risks of closure by the Houthi rebels against Saudi-affiliated vessels. Concurrently, the Strait of Hormuz, a critical passage for global oil shipments, remains a flashpoint. The United States recently fired on a merchant ship in the Gulf of Oman amid efforts to enforce a blockade on Iranian ports, while Iran has responded by targeting U.S. allies in the region.
The heightened tensions have prompted U.S. embassies in the Middle East to warn American citizens of potentially limited options for departure. Iran’s Revolutionary Guard further cautioned residents in neighboring countries to avoid military bases hosting U.S. forces.
In parallel, diplomatic actors are working to reduce tensions. Pakistan, which maintains strong defense and economic ties with Kuwait dating back to the 1980s, reaffirmed its commitment to de-escalation. Iqbal, speaking at the Pakistan Fruit Week event in Kuwait City, highlighted ongoing diplomatic initiatives led by Pakistan’s Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister, and Field Marshal aimed at facilitating dialogue among the involved parties. He noted emerging positive signs toward the resumption of U.S.-Iran negotiations, referencing recent comments from the U.S. President.
Iqbal underscored that any military escalation would have wide-reaching consequences beyond a single country, emphasizing Pakistan’s efforts to prevent further deterioration in the region. He also detailed robust bilateral cooperation with Kuwait, including military training programs and growing trade relations, with current bilateral trade exceeding $1.5 billion, largely driven by Pakistani imports of Kuwaiti oil and rising Kuwaiti non-oil exports.
As the geopolitical landscape remains strained, Gulf nations and their partners continue to call for restraint and the pursuit of diplomatic solutions to avoid broader instability and protect international peace and economic security.